What Baby Prep Classes Won’t Teach You: Newborn Sleep Habits
You’ve attended the classes, maybe read a couple of books, and stocked up on all the baby essentials. Now you’re ready for a baby, right? Well, kind of. Baby prep classes are great for learning the basics and are typically focused on childbirth and breastfeeding, but there’s so much more you need to know as a first time mom. The real-life experiences of motherhood are often the things no one talks about in these traditional baby prep classes, and many of them can leave you wondering, “is this normal?”, or “why did no one tell me this?”
I was blown away by how many things I was surprised by as a first time mom, even after taking the free labor and delivery and breastfeeding classes through the hospital, taking extra classes on breastfeeding and newborn care, and being a researcher / planner myself. I feel like there’s a huge gap in our society in how we prepare first time moms for motherhood - not just breastfeeding and childbirth - and that’s why I do what I do. I’m so passionate about making sure that first time moms feel empowered and confident going into motherhood, instead of overwhelmed and shocked by their experiences.
While this isn’t necessarily meant to teach you how to handle or solve certain challenges that arise, it will make you more aware of what to expect as a new mom so you’re not completely offput or questioning what is happening during early motherhood. These are frequently asked questions by first time moms and are valuable insights I wish someone had told me as a new mom.
Here are some things that baby prep classes won’t teach you in regards to newborn sleep routines and habits, that every pregnant mom expecting a baby for the first time should know:
1. It’s Normal for Your Baby to Wake Up the Second You Lay Them Down
You’ve probably imagined yourself rocking your baby to sleep and gently placing your sleeping baby into their crib while you tiptoe out of the room. But the reality is often, the second you lay your baby down in their bassinet or crib, their eyes will pop wide open. Many babies have a strong startle reflex and prefer to be in your arms, where they feel warm and secure.
2. Your Baby May Only Want to Sleep on You
To follow up on the point above, newborns love contact and it's perfectly normal for them to only want to sleep while being held. After all, they’ve spent the past 9 months snuggled up against you 24/7 so it makes sense why. Remember, your baby is adjusting to life outside of the womb and that takes a little while. I know this can feel frustrating sometimes so if you need a break, be sure to ask your spouse or another support person for help. Remember that this stage doesn’t last forever - embrace those cuddles while you can because the baby phase sure goes by quickly.
3. It’s Normal for Your Baby to Be a Loud Sleeper
Baby prep classes don’t prepare you for the noisy newborn sleep. Newborn babies grunt, groan, and make all kinds of sounds while they sleep, and it’s totally normal. It can be alarming at first. I know I was taken aback by all of the noises my first baby made while sleeping. We made the mistake of thinking our baby was awake every time she made a noise and would go pick her up from her bassinet, inadvertently actually waking her up.
4. Your Baby’s Sleep Patterns Will Change Frequently
If you’re hoping to establish a perfect sleep routine right away, you might want to adjust your expectations. Though few parents luck out with a baby that sleeps through the night from the time they are born, most parents don’t get the full night of sleep they long for. Baby sleep patterns change frequently, especially in the early months. One week they might sleep in 2-3, even 5-6 hour stretches, and the next, they might be waking every hour. Sleep with a newborn, and with a baby or young kids in general, is unpredictable. I know it’s hard - believe me, I’ve been there (and am still there)! I try to remind myself that one day my kids will sleep through the night and they won’t want to cuddle with me anymore, and then suddenly my mindset goes from annoyed to grateful… You know, in the spirit of both keeping it real and having an attitude of gratitude :)
5. It’s Normal that Your Newborn is a Night Owl
It's completely normal for newborns to stay up late, often leading to long, wakeful nights for new parents. Many babies have their days and nights mixed up at first because in the womb they don’t know the difference. Newborns don’t yet have an internal clock, or circadian rhythm, to regulate their sleep patterns. While it can be exhausting, know that this phase is temporary and your baby will gradually begin to adjust to the rest of the world’s sleep patterns. You can help by keeping daytime bright and stimulating, while keeping nights calm, quiet, and dimly lit.
Final Thoughts
Motherhood is a beautiful, challenging, and life-changing experience, especially when it comes to sleep. Most baby prep classes out there won’t fully prepare you for what’s to come. There will be moments of frustration and exhaustion but also joy and overwhelming love. Through it all, remember: you’re doing great. You’re learning as you go, and that’s what being a mom is all about. Even us moms with older kids are still “new moms” in a way, all learning as we go through all the ups and downs that the next stage of motherhood brings.
Embrace the journey, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. You’ve got this!
ANOTHER THING YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY KNOW AS A FIRST TIME MOM?
